Aimen Moten: From Karachi to Google, AI Doesn't Scare Him

A Transcontinental Journey to Google

Aimen Moten, a software engineer at Google, left her home country of Pakistan to pursue her studies in the United States. Her ambition was clear: to break into the American tech sector. Through a methodical and well-thought-out job search, she succeeded in landing a position at Google. Today, she shares her experience regarding the impact of artificial intelligence on her work and explains why she is not afraid of being replaced by technology.

This reflection comes from a conversation with Aimen Moten, who joined Google as a software engineer last March. In her twenties, she currently resides in the San Francisco Bay Area.

A New Approach to the Engineering Profession

As an engineer at Google, Aimen Moten has noticed that her role has evolved. She no longer codes as much as she used to and now spends more time reviewing AI-generated code, making design decisions, and deepening her understanding of systems. The engineering profession is undergoing a transformation under the influence of AI, requiring constant adaptation. However, before adapting to these changes, she had to navigate the crucial step of securing her job.

An Ambitious Academic Goal

Originally from Pakistan, Aimen arrived in the United States in 2022 to pursue a degree in computer science at DePauw University. Aware of the high costs of education, she set herself the goal of completing her studies in three years. Despite receiving a partial scholarship, tuition fees exceeded $10,000 per semester. Not being eligible for federal student loans, she had to rely on financial support from her parents for the first semesters, knowing that she would later need to depend on scholarships and internship income to finish her studies.

A Thoughtful Internship Strategy

To maximize her job prospects, Aimen took a proactive approach by applying for numerous internships. She attended events like the Grace Hopper Celebration to build her network and stay informed about internship openings. These conferences allowed her to apply as soon as applications opened.

The summer before her sophomore year was dedicated to reaching out to professionals on LinkedIn for recommendations. This enabled her to apply for hundreds of internships and go through several rounds of interviews, including a particularly lengthy six-round process.

The Opportunity at Google

After much effort, Aimen landed an interview for a software engineering internship at Google in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Ironically, it was one of the few companies for which she did not have a recommendation. This internship turned out to be a rewarding experience but required adjustments to her academic and professional plans. She had to modify her graduation date and her timeline for full-time job searching after this initial internship at Google.

She returned to Google for a second internship, which was pivotal in receiving a full-time offer. She graduated in three and a half years, in December 2025, and moved to the Bay Area to start her position as a software engineer in March. Aimen is particularly grateful to have received her offer back, as she is aware of the current challenges in the tech job market. She knows many qualified individuals who are still seeking opportunities.

Advice for Future Engineers

Aimen Moten has learned valuable lessons from her job search. She emphasizes the importance of self-care, an aspect often overlooked in the race to optimize resumes and prepare for interviews. She has encountered individuals exhausted by the relentless search for internships or jobs, highlighting that burnout can hinder performance during interviews.

She also observes that the current job market demands rapid adaptation, especially with the integration of AI into academic curricula. AI is evolving quickly, and there is increasing pressure to use it effectively, both at work and in personal life. She expressed a certain fear of missing out if she does not utilize AI.

The Impact of AI on the Engineering Profession

Aimen is not afraid that AI will replace software engineers. On the contrary, she believes that AI is changing the way work is done without eliminating the need for human intervention. Engineers must understand that their role remains crucial in the engineering process.

She is aware of the challenges in the job market for engineers and does not take her position at Google for granted. Her journey reflects the resilience and adaptability needed to succeed in a constantly evolving sector.